Saturday 28 December 2013

My Top 5 Favourite Products of 2013


On my blog this year, I have tested and reviewed many different products. Some have been good, ithers not so good. But a few have really stood out for me this year. So, to end the year, I have decided to pick my favourite five and share them here with you.


Burt's Bee's Radiance Day Cream

I suffer from dry skin and was in need of a really effective moisturiser when my Mums friend suggested a little pot of Burt's Bee's would work a treat. I now can't live without this stuff. Its refreshing scent and lightness on the skin hydrates the skin whilst leaving it lovely and smooth. As it's a little bit pricey, I recently tried a Nivea version but my face hasn't reacted well to this and I have now returned to using Burt's Bee's. I don't know what I'd do without this cream and will definitely be looking into other products from the Burt's Bee's range.


Daisy by Marc Jacobs

I think I've mentioned this perfume a couple times on this blog this year but here it is again. Daisy is a very refreshing spring scent, not at all over-powering (and I spray far too much of it! Haha). The bottle the scent comes in is really cute too, an important bonus I think. I think I've worn This perfume for the past six months and not got bored of the scent. I love this perfume but I'm starting to run out again and really want to try out some other scents, sorry Marc Jacobs!


Rimmel Nail Nurse

I think this is the only product in my top five that I haven't done a specific review on. This really is an understated product that really deserves a little more attention. To me, this is a miracle product. The two-in-one top and base coat strengthens nails as well as protects your manicure from chipping away. With the nail nurse, my beautiful red painted nails have lasted a whole week with no chipping. That's right, I can't see any chips on the nail a week after I painted them. This has never happened to me, nail polishes always chip on me, so I am over the moon with these results. The quality of my nails has greatly improved too. They look healthier and are stronger too. And at the same price as a normal Rimmel polish, I don't understand why I hadn't heard of this product before. If there is a product on this list that I would force you to buy, it is this one. It is worth every penny.


Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Wash

I have become a huge fan of Soap & Glory this year and their Sugar Crush range is my current favourite. In particular, the Sugar Crush body wash has made itself at home in my bathroom. I don't know if it's just me looking in the wrong places, but I found myself buying the same old shower gels with common fruit or vanilla scents. Not that there is anything wrong with this, I was getting bored with these scents. Then I discovered a video by blogger Zoella mentioning the Sugar Crush body wash and I imediately went out to buy it. It was everything I wanted from a body wash, a sweet yet refreshing scent whilst kind to my sensitive skin. It smells just like sherbet and is the perfect scent to wake you up in an early morning shower. I am also impressed with other product in the range which share the amazing scent but the body wash really stood out to me.


Soap & Glory Super Cat Eyeliner

My final product is another Soap & Glory product. I've always found pencil liners hard to apply and was too nervous to try a liquid one. Then I discovered the liquid pen liner and thought I should try one. I now wear it pretty much everyday. The felt tip-like pen makes application easy and lasts the liner stays put all day. It gives a lovely finish too. At around £6 I believe it's one of the most reasonable priced liners of its kind on the market and it's lasted me for such a long time too.

So those were the products that impressed me the most this year. I hope you had a lovely Christmas and that you celebrate the new year in style. 2014 is less then a week away, argh! Do you have any products that stood out for you this year? Let me know in the comments, I'd love to know.

Tasmin x

Tuesday 24 December 2013

Merry Christmas Blogger

Thanks for the card Emma!
Christmas is tomorrow! Yay! Time to pig out on huge roast dinners, watch endless amounts of Christmas TV and exchange gifts with friends and family.

Another firm favourite tradition in Britain is the Christmas card. And, for the third year running, I have failed to send out any Christmas cards. Bad Tasmin. You know what it's like, you've got to decide who you to send cards too, buy the cards themselves and then rummage through every draw in the house to find a working pen. I'm a student, I don't have the time or money to do that! But I feel I have found a happy alternative...

A Blogger Christmas Card/Post thing. Catchy, I know! This enables me to wish you all, friends, family, followers and general strangers of the Internet, a Merry Christmas in the medium I am most happy using, the computer!

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you all have a wonderful day, stuff your faces silly with sweets and get all the gifts you wished for. It's not long to the end of the year now so just enjoy yourselves while 2013 lasts.

Tasmin x

Saturday 21 December 2013

The Winter Wonderland Tag


Now, I haven't been officially tagged but I saw this on Chloe's blog, leaveslotstoimagination, and thought it would help me get into the Christmas spirit as I'm not feeling all that Christmassy yet and it's only four days away! Eeeek! I still haven't done my Christmas shopping yet! Haha, oops! I'll have to go on Monday. In the meantime, shall I start the tag?

1. What winter holiday do you celebrate?
I celebrate Christmas.

2. What is one item you hope to recieve as a present for Christmas or another holiday?
Is it cheating if you already know what you've got? I fell in love with a pair of ankle boots from Kelly Brooke's range at New Look. My Mum brought them for me for Christmas then realised that I needed to try them on to check they'd fit. Fail! But I'm still really excited to get them.

3. Gingerbread cookies or Candy Canes?
Candy canes all the way. I used to have two cats, one was called Candy, the other was called Cane. 
4. Snowball fights or sledding?
I've never been sledding as there aren't really any hills that aren't main roads around where I live. But I do love a good snowball fight. I remember one year, all the children on my street had a big snowball fight. I was so much fun.
5. What is your go to winter outfit?
When it come to outfits in the winter, my only thought is staying warm. Jeans and t-shirt with an oversized knit cardi usually does the trick. Add a coat and scarf, sometimes a wooly hat if its not raining, and I'm good to go.
6. What are your favourite winter/holiday makeup items?
I always think it's nice to glam up for Christmas, it's a time to celebrate after all. I like to go for a classic red lip as I find red a very Christmassy colour. This year I'll definitely opt for my Revlon ColorStay Suede lipstick as it lasts for ages and I won't have to worry about reapplying so much.
7. Does it snow where you live?
It does occasionally snow in Guernsey but never in December. Earlier this year, after I was told that we wouldn't have snow at all this year, we had blizzards in March. So bizarre. I've always wanted a white Christmas so fingers crossed, but I doubt it will ever happen over here.

8. What is your favourite christmas/holiday song?
Gosh, there are so many to choose from. I really like All I Want For Christmas by Mariah Carey and Fairytale of New York by The Pogues. I have them on every year.
9. What is your favourite holiday movie?
Elf. I'm going to watch later on today. Can't wait. Sannntaaa! 
10. What is your favourite holiday decoration?
The traditional Christmas tree. Without it, the room feels incomplete, slightly empty even. It's just not Christmas without one. I've never had a real Christmas tree at home but school always has one and they smell lovely. 

Well, I don't know about you but I feel a bit more Christmassy now. If you're still not in the Christmas mood, I tag you! Failing that, watch Elf. You can't not feel Christmassy after watching Elf. Sorry, I just love that film. Please don't judge me!

Merry Christmas!

Tasmin x

Saturday 14 December 2013

Gift Guide for the Last Minute Christmas Shopper


Now, Christmas is just over a week away and I haven't even begun my Christmas shopping and probably won't for at least another week. But, my sister was asking what to get for her secret Santa which got me thinking, what am I going to get my friends and family for Christmas? I can not be the only one who leaves Christmas shopping naughtily to the last minute. And, as last minute shopping is famously known for being completely out of stock of everything you want and it's too late to shop online, I created a guide of what to buy for a great Christmas present at the last minute.



When I think of gifts for Mum, the first thing that pops into my mind is lyxury bath products. Every year, I like to treat my mum to bath and body lotions and potions from Santuary as I want to give her a relaxing treat and I know she loves the brand. Another good gift would be scented candles. Especially this time of year everyone loves a candle. I may have a fear of fire but my Mum can light them for a relaxing bath.

A fancy tea-cup and mint tea would make a great alternative for Mum
I usually get my dad wine gums. I think every year without fail, I have got him wine gums. Christmas is a time for traditions and this is one I am not breaking. However, if your Dad's not a fan of the classic wine gum, get him a selection of his favourite sweets. Another typical Dad present is a good old mug. I find there are lodes of fancy mugs out this time of year. You could pair it with a blend of fancy tea or his favourite brand of coffee.


 I don't have a brother so have no experience in gift buying there but my advice here is games. Boys any age love a good computer game and, with the launch of two new ones at the moment, the last minute shopper has plenty of choice when it comes to shopping for slightly older device games. Probably best to check for what games he already has first before you buy so you know you're definitely getting him one he doesn't already have. This would also work well for guy friends or boyfriends.


Now, I do have a sister so this one is a little easier. My sister, like many girls, loves a bit of jewellery. Cute and unusually suits her look and the shops are always well stocked with real gems at this time of year. Miss Selfridge and New Look have some beauties at purse friendly prices that I have my eye on at the moment. Hair accessories and make-up would also fit in nicely as a little collection of presents.

Winter accessories also make great presents.
I have an amazing gift idea for a friend (if I do say so myself) which would also work as a gift for your sister or Mum. Finding a cute little make-up bag, or a goodie bag if your friend already has a fab one or you strike out of luck in town, you could fill it up with some fab make-up, accessories and/or sweet treats for your friend. When last minute shopping, most gift sets are sold out, but this idea means you can personalise the gift to your friends taste. It's obvious that it has taken a lot more of thought and atension so really shows your friend that you care.

I hope that's helped last minute shoppers like me for gift ideas. Happy shopping!

Tasmin x

P.s. friends and family, these are not the gifts I've got you, you will have to wait until Christmas to find out what I got you.

Friday 6 December 2013

#ootdfridays Number 19


It's back! So sorry for no post last week. I did write one but wasn't really happy with it so didn't want to upload something I wasn't proud of. But, I thought I'll make up for that with the return of ootdfridays. I say return, it's back for one week only, probably. I just really don't have the time to create post like these often due to all my school coursework, but with the Christmas holidays soon, I'll hopefully will have a couple more towards the end of the year. Yay!


So, it's now December which can only mean one thing, chocolate at breakfast is now completely acceptable. I joke...sort of ;). It's Christmas time and every towns Christmas lights are on and everyone is rushing to buy gifts. Well, not me. I usually leave it to the very last minute, seriously I shop on the 23rd. But, this year I am going to try to shop a little earlier. Typing that, I don't think it's going to happen and gift buying will be a complete rush again.
Anyway, enough with me and my useless Christmas shopping timing, lets get to the outfit. This week I decided to borrow my little sisters dungaree dress. It's so nineties and cute I just couldn't resist. Underneath I wore an over-sized polka-dot shirt to add the monochrome trend to this look. Little ankle booties and my bowler hat with ears kept the look cute and the silver plait bracelet finished off the outfit.
Dungaree Dress- Miss Selfridge | Shirt and Hat- Miss Guided | Boots- Next | Bracelet- New Look
Pinkies out!
So there we go, 12 weeks on from the last #ootdfridays post. Hopefully the next post won't have such time gap but I can not guarantee. Remember, if you want to take part, Instagram a picture of your ootd using the hashtag and I could feature you in the next post.

No flash! Just strange golden lighting...
Happy weekend everyone!

Tasmin x